Anna's eyes widened in disbelief as she processed the sight before her. She thought he was dead, lost to the chaos that had engulfed them. Panic surged through her as she glanced behind her and spotted an axe leaning against the wall. In a split second, she made a decision. She threw her gun aside, grasped the axe, and hurled it at the mercenary charging toward her.
To her horror, he caught it mid-air, his grip unyielding. He swung the axe back, striking her across the face. Pain exploded in her cheek, but before he could land another blow, Ivan's gun fired, the sound echoing in the lodge. The mercenary crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
"Ivan!" she gasped, her heart racing as he rushed to her side.
"Are you alright?" His voice was laced with concern, his eyes searching hers for any sign of injury.
"Yes, I'm okay," she replied, though her voice trembled slightly. He touched her swollen cheek, and she sighed—not purely from the pain, but from the unexpected chill of his hand against her skin.
"Does it hurt?" he asked, worry etched across his features.
"Just a little," she said, forcing a smile despite the throb in her face. He helped her to her feet, their bodies brushing against each other, and together they walked back into the lodge, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken tension.
"Sit. I'll be back. I need to check something," Ivan said, his tone firm yet gentle as he disappeared into a room she hadn't noticed before.
Left alone, Anna began to analyze the lodge. It was far more elegant than the cabin they had previously occupied. The wooden beams and warm lighting gave it a cozy feel, yet shadows lingered in the corners, reminding her of the danger that still loomed. As she explored, her thoughts drifted to Lira. How could she forget about her? Anxiety gnawed at her insides as she waited for Ivan's return.
"Ivan, how is Lira? I hope her life isn't in danger," she called out, her voice tinged with worry.
"Lira is alright. She will be here soon," Ivan replied, emerging from the shadows of the room.
"How? I thought we were leaving the lodge. Why is she coming here?" Anna asked, confusion clouding her thoughts.
"We won't be leaving again. I know our plan was to escape this lodge, but I changed my mind. Staying here means we can establish a base without constantly being on the run from mercenaries. I wouldn't want that for you, Anna. I've called for backup already," Ivan explained, his gaze steady and reassuring.
"But where will we be staying?" she pressed, still uneasy.
Ivan smiled, a glimmer of warmth breaking through the tension. "This is a remote lodge, and we have more than fifteen rooms here."
"How do you know all this?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"That's because I'm the owner of this lodge," he replied, a hint of pride in his voice.
"But how are we going to survive? I only came with a few clothes," she said, a frown creasing her brow.
"Leave all that to me, Anna," he said, his tone confident. The way he said her name sent shivers down her spine, igniting a mix of apprehension and excitement within her.
"Okay then. I need to shower before Lira gets here," she said, standing up and trying to shake off the lingering tension. "Where is the shower room?"
Ivan took her hand, guiding her into one of the lodge rooms. "Here is your room for now, Anna," he said, his voice softening.
"My room?" she echoed, surprise evident in her tone.
"Yes, unless you expect me to sleep here with you," he teased, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Yes! I mean no!" she stammered, her cheeks flushing crimson as she tried to hide her embarrassment. What was she expecting?
"Hmmm," Ivan hummed, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Really…" Before he could finish his thought, she bolted to the bathroom, her heart racing.
Inside, she felt a wave of shyness wash over her, but something caught her eye. The bathroom was stocked with an array of toiletries—luxurious soaps, fragrant shampoos, and soft towels. She wasn't surprised; she knew it was Ivan's doing, a reflection of his meticulous nature.
After a moment's hesitation, she unzipped her pants and pulled them down, tossing them aside. She removed her crop top, unhooked her bra, and slipped off her underwear before stepping into the warm bath. The water enveloped her, soothing her aching muscles and washing away the remnants of fear and adrenaline.
As she soaked, her mind raced with thoughts of Ivan and the unpredictable path that lay ahead. She recalled the way he had looked at her, the concern in his eyes when he had touched her face. There was a connection forming between them, one forged in the heat of danger and uncertainty.
After a long moment, she reluctantly emerged from the tub, the water cascading off her skin. She dried herself quickly, wrapping a towel around her body, and stepped out of the bathroom. The lodge felt different now—more like a sanctuary than a prison.
Ivan was waiting for her, leaning against the doorframe with an expectant look. "You took your time," he said, a teasing lilt in his voice.
"I needed to wash off the chaos," she replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
He stepped closer, his gaze intense. "You're okay, right? I mean, really okay?"
Anna nodded, feeling the weight of his concern. "I'm okay, Ivan. Just a little shaken up."
"Good," he said, his voice dropping to a softer tone. "You're stronger than you realize, Anna."
She felt her heart race again at his words, a warmth spreading through her. "Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Just then, a noise echoed from outside—a car approaching. Ivan's demeanor shifted instantly, his protective instincts kicking in. "Stay here," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Ivan—" she started, but he cut her off.
"Please, just stay put. I need to make sure it's Lira," he said, his eyes locked onto hers, filled with a mix of urgency and determination.
As he stepped out, Anna's heart pounded in her chest. She paced the room, anxiety clawing at her. What if it wasn't Lira? What if it was another threat? She couldn't shake the feeling that they were still in danger, even within the supposed safety of the lodge.
Moments felt like hours as she waited, her mind racing with possibilities. Finally, Ivan returned, a relieved expression breaking across his face. "It's her," he said, and Anna felt a wave of relief wash over her.
"Thank goodness," she breathed, her shoulders relaxing slightly.
"Let's get you both settled," Ivan said, his tone shifting back to practicality. "I'll introduce you to the team I've called in. They'll help keep us safe."
Anna nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and apprehension. She knew that their fight was far from over, but for now, they had a moment of reprieve. Together, they would face whatever came next.
As they walked out to meet Lira, Anna couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of their journey—a journey filled with danger, trust, and unexpected connections.
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A/N
Hey guys actually It has been long, please guys always remember to add to your collection and vote 😀 😀 😀
Wish you guys good health